Create crossword puzzles, word searches, and bingo cards quickly with WordMint. Create your free account to begin, then choose an activity to set up and enter terms. When finished, print and save your puzzle including an answer key and student copies. WordMint also contains an extensive database of already made word searches and puzzles that don't require registration to use, find the links to them at the bottom of the home page.

In the Classroom

Create puzzles and activities to review spelling or vocabulary terms. Create bingo cards and use as an introduction to new concepts. Share a link to this site on your class website for students to create their own puzzles for review at home.

Discover your writer's voice with these free interactive e-Books. Choose from several book titles to begin an interactive digital journey diary. Each title opens in a new tab as a PDF document. Scroll through to read the book and add your comments and answers to questions within the allocated areas. When finished, save your document to print or continue adding diary responses.

In the Classroom

Share the e-Books from this site as an alternative to traditional writing prompts. Share with your school's guidance counselors as a resource for allowing students to express their feelings on a variety of topics. Have students create blogs to reflect on their learning using Telegra.ph, here. Telegra.ph will create a "quick and easy" blog to be used one time only. A unique URL is provided, and with Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo, or Twitter links. It's as easy as using a basic Word program! Challenge students to create an online comic sharing their perspective on one of the books. It's a good idea to require students to create a rough draft of their comic using Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. You might want to have students in grades 1-3 use Comic Creator, reviewed here, while older students can just use Zimmerman's favorite Make Beliefs Comix, reviewed here, to create their final copy.

Create and play your own quizzes with QuizPedia's straightforward and customizable design. Play quizzes without registration or register to create and save your own quizzes. Follow the steps to create your quiz on any device. QuizPedia's format allows the use of images as an option for both questions and responses. Additional options let you set the time quizzes are active or set rules for visibility options.

In the Classroom

Pretest students and allow them to "test out" of material they already know. Learning support teachers will want their students to create their own QuizPedia sets for practice and review of any material. Create your own sets of quizzes, or let students do the work for themselves and each other. Take advantage of quizzes previously developed and available to share with students on your class website. Allow students to create a quiz for other students to take following class presentations and reports.

Kodu is a software download for creating Windows PC games through a simple programming language. A download is also available for Xbox games; however, it is not free. The software allows users to create and personalize virtual worlds through point and click options. Additional options offer "if this, then that" personalization to add variety to the game. Under Resources find the "Getting Started" tutorial videos that reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Have students work in teams to design and develop content demonstrating an understanding of lessons in any subject area. Begin sharing Kodu with your computer experts who are interested in programming. Allow them to be the leaders in sharing how to use and personalize the program. Use Kodu as part of an after-school computer club. Be sure to take advantage of the resources section of Kodu for tips and tutorials on using the program.

Creative Writing Now offers a broad array of resources supporting the writing of fiction, poetry, and drama. Choose from tabs at the top of the page to find creative writing ideas and prompts, writing guides, and tips for writers. Creative Writing Now also offers free online courses with topics including Endless Story Ideas, Story Structure, and Bringing Characters to Life.

In the Classroom

Bookmark this site as a resource for many creative writing activity tools throughout the year. Encourage students to participate in the free online courses offered; some take as little as three days to complete. Share student writing using Flipsnack, reviewed here, to turn their PDFs into an online book, There is even a page-turning effect! If you have a Word doc or image use PDFaid, reviewed here, to convert them to PDF format.

Think of Check123 as a video encyclopedia with over 20,000 videos from around the world. Each video is approximately 1, 2, or 3 minutes in length. Videos are curated and validated by experts to ensure accuracy and quality. Quality ratings for each entry provide a score of up to 10 points based on accuracy, quality, and entertainment value. Search for any topic or browse through the many categories. Free signup allows you to save videos and request videos for addition to the site. Check123 is a very powerful tool for the classroom. You can create a lesson and search for videos from your lesson or copy and paste a relevant article and Check123 will scan its data base for you. Create quizzes and discussions for the videos that will reside on the videos' timeline. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Bookmark Check123 on your classroom computers for access throughout the year. Pull up short videos on any topic to introduce or reinforce content. Be sure to share a link to this site on your class webpage. Have students use Check123 to find videos on any topic, plants for example, then share the different videos to learn together. Have students make a multimedia presentation using Genial.ly, reviewed here, and include videos found on this site to include in the presentation.

Thingiverse offers over 15,000 3D printing designs and enough lesson plans to keep a classroom busy all school year. All free! Discover lessons for K-5, 6-8, 9-12 and university levels. Also, find lessons categorized by subject. By clicking on any of these categories, you can then search the new page by both grade level and subject i.e. K-5 and Special Education. Find Collections like Quick Projects, Building Bridges, and Featured Projects. If you are really into 3D and want to design your own project, you can do that at Thingiverse, too. Thingiverse's 3D printing documents from this tool only work on MakerBot or Stratasys printers.

In the Classroom

Whether you are a STEM or STEAM educator or teach woods or metal shop, there is something here for everyone. Are you setting up a makerspace and want to include 3D projects? Find more than you can imagine at Thingiverse. Many lessons address Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards, too. History, math, and language arts teachers may enjoy Cryptography: Sending Secret Messages and could extend it into a cross-curricular project; look at Egyptian Hieroglyphs - Making a Cartouche, too. ELA teachers, take a look at the Book Report project to create 3D Keychains having elements of the character's personality and challenges. Art teachers be sure to check out Art Connector Set SVG Conversion Project where your students can turn their drawing into a sculpture! These are just a few of the many lesson plans and projects to look into on Thingiverse. Cut down the time it takes to discover interesting projects by allowing time in class for students to explore in categories selected by you.

As part of their extensive vocabulary site, MyVocabulary.com includes over 90 word puzzles practicing Greek and Latin root words. This site includes alignment of activities to Common Core Standards. Find 90 additional prefix studies on page 2 here.This site includes advertising.

As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, Vocabulary.com has added a themed area for grammar words. Find interactive vocabulary activities using the same 20 grammar words. You will find interactive puzzles as well as fill in the blanks, definition matches, and true/false puzzles. This and other "themes" available on the site will make vocabulary development enjoyable.

In the Classroom

Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work with a partner to try out the puzzles on their own. Challenge students to try to create their own word puzzles using a site like HTML Crossword Generator, reviewed here, if you are just beginning to integrate technology into your classroom, or Educaplay, reviewed here, if you and your students are experienced tech users. Share them on a class wiki.

Create and collaborate with up to 10 others using this online whiteboard, no registration necessary. Optional registration allows users to save whiteboards for later use. Give your whiteboard a name and choose your board size to begin. Options allow for customizing the look of the whiteboard, adding a chat box, and uploading images. Share with other users using the provided link or with your personalized code. NoteBookCast is compatible with many devices making it easy for everyone to work together.

In the Classroom

Most subject area teachers and their students will benefit from the use of this tool. Allow students to create collaborative drawings as responses to literature. They can map out the plot or themes, add labels, create character studies, and more. Share the finished products on an interactive whiteboard, projector, or your class website. Have a group of students create a drawing, so another group can use it as a writing prompt. Use a NoteBookCast board as a brainstorming or sketching space as groups (or the class) share ideas for a major project or for solving a real world problem. Use this tool with students in a computer lab (or on laptops) to create a drawing of the setting in a story during a read-aloud. As an assessment idea, have students draw out a simple cartoon with stick figures to explain a more complex process such as how democracy works. If you are lucky enough to teach in a BYOD setting, use this site to demonstrate and illustrate any concept while students use the chat and drawing tools to interact in real time. If you are studying weather, have students diagram the layers of the atmosphere and what happens during a thunderstorm, for example. Introduce this tool to students who are working on group projects. Alternatively, have students use this to work as partners or as a small team to complete complex math problems or equations.

In the Classroom

Discover the many ready-to-go, free resources on this site to find spelling lists and activities. This site makes it easy to differentiate instruction and personalize lists for students based on ability. If your students are struggling, begin with an easier list to build confidence. If your students aren't being challenged enough, try lists above grade level to build spelling skills.

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session from November 2017, opens in Adobe Connect. Transform your classroom activities by learning how to use Sutori. Engage students and deepen content area knowledge through digital stories. Text, audio, video, discussion forums, and quiz questions bring additional context to content area instruction for your students. Use student-created visual stories and timelines as formative assessment. Brainstorm with others how you and your students can use Sutori in your classroom. Participants will: 1. Learn basic use of Sutori; 2. Explore three different ways to use Sutori in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Sutori in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

In the Classroom

The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.

Create excitement about books and promote the love of reading with Loose Canon. This site provides over 9000 book recommendations to view by subject or grade level. Create a free classroom account to add your books and recommendations by your students. Free accounts allow up to 60 participants to share and compare texts. Be sure also to view the resources provided by Loose Canon. This portion of the site shares assessment, classroom activities, and reading research to viewers without requiring registration. Included is approximately a five minute video explaining reading workshop and features of Loose Cannon. This video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable. You could always view the video at home and bring it to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as ClipGrab, reviewed here, to download the video from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Share Loose Canon with your students as an extensive resource for finding and comparing books to read. Use materials found on this site to create collaborative Literature Circles in your classroom. If you create an account with Loose Canon, ask students to share their thoughts on books read in school and at home by reviewing and rating it on Loose Canon. These reviews can be made public, or students can keep them private. Take your reading reflections a step further and ask students to share their thoughts through a multimedia presentation using an interactive tool like Sway, reviewed here, that allows users to include images, links, and videos.

Create interactive online lessons including quizzes and polls with Unio. Create an account using your email address to begin. Upload images, PowerPoints, videos, PDF's, and more to include in your slideshow. Follow the tutorials to learn how to edit information and add quizzes and polls. When ready, launch your lesson and share the join code with students for access. Students will see your screen and be able to save the lesson for access later. Teachers can monitor students in real time. Free accounts provide temporary student access (instead of student accounts) and storage of up to 5 lessons. The tutorials reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as ClipGrab, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Use Unio to create and prepare lessons for presentation on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. After providing the share code to students ask them to participate by answering quiz questions or use the drawing tools to highlight information shared in the lesson. Upon completion of your lesson using Unio, have students add a video response to share information learned using a collaborative tool like Flipgrid, reviewed here. Flipgrid allows students to respond to a prompt and add comments as part of a shared conversation within a group. Instead of a written report at the end of your lesson, ask students to create a Symbaloo Learning Path, reviewed here, to use for review. This site allows users to create a learning path by adding websites, videos, documents, and more.

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session from October 2017, opens in Adobe Connect. Dust off your digital passport and join us on a journey using the new Google Earth web. Learn the key features of Google Earth web and how to incorporate this powerful tool into your classroom instruction. The reimagined version of Google Earth includes features that go beyond the use of maps and satellite imagery. Users can now explore the world with Voyager, Google Earth's showcase of guided tours, and try out the 3D button to view places from any angle. Leave with classroom ideas and lesson planning resources. Participants will: 1. Get acquainted with the key features of Google Earth web; 2. Explore interactive guided tours with Voyager; and 3. Start building your own Tour for Google Earth web. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

In the Classroom

The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.

Promote creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration through game play with Minecraft Education Edition. This version of the popular game includes features for classroom use including documentation of work and a secure environment for class play. In addition to the software download, this site includes a small base of lesson plans, classroom community support forums, and a My Classroom feature. My Classroom allows teachers to create a private world for students to join enabling them to work together in the same world.

In the Classroom

Make use of the features provided in the education edition of Minecraft to allow learning through gameplay. Ask students to use the camera and portfolio features to document decision making and progress through games. Use features within the game to learn about history, for example, have students import 3-dimensional structures such as the Roman Colosseum to explore and create experiences from that time. Instruct students to create a story for creative writing projects. Encourage students to retell a story through a Minecraft experience. Use Minecraft features to teach math lessons on shape, volume, area, and more. Discover more ideas at Minecraft Hour of Code Tutorials, reviewed here.

Let's face it, creating proper citations is difficult due to the many different formats and the variety of sources cited. KingCitation helps with this problem with its citation generator. The three step procedure begins with choosing the type of work that is cited then moves on to adding requested information to the form generator. Click "Generate Citation" to complete your citation ready to copy and paste into any document.

In the Classroom

Use your interactive whiteboard and projector to show students how to use this tool for citing their sources. Share this website for all of your projects using research so students know the correct procedure for citations. Be sure to add it on your class web site as a useful reference.

Create engaging presentations, similar to those used by TedX speakers, with Slidebot. Register using your education email to begin. Follow the instructions after clicking Getting Started to add title headings for your slides. SlideBot chooses images for each slide with an option to change at any time from over 25 million choices. Change the design on any slide using options for text, color, and placement. When finished, share your presentation within Slidebot or export as a PPT or PDF.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Use SlideBot for student presentations in the classroom. Challenge your writers to create short stories and publish with slides. SlideBot is a great resource for your BYOD classroom. Create supporting presentations for lessons. Encourage students to create presentations to support book talks and share them on a library website.

Quiznetic is a quiz creation tool that sends players racing on a track you choose. Begin by creating your quiz from options presented within Quiznetic including player movement choices and positions on the board. Add questions by selecting from options of question types, add images or videos if desired, and feedback for submitted answers. Quizzes allow for up to 30 players, and they enter the game on any device by entering the unique access code. Also, you can run more than one quiz at a time. When finished, teachers receive a game result spreadsheet with player names and results from each question. Making the creation of a quiz can take just a matter of seconds by copying other people's public game designs.

In the Classroom

Add Quiznetic to your arsenal of quiz creation tools, especially for differentiation, since you can run more than one quiz at a time. Create a quiz as a tool for checking prior knowledge or making a quick assessment. Have students answer exit questions or see what students remember from the previous day using the Quiz Creator. Use for formative assessment to identify misconceptions that students may have at the start of a unit. ESL/ELL and world language teachers could use Quiznetic for vocabulary practice. Have students create quizzes with characteristics of story characters for classmates to see which character they resemble the most. Students could also create a quiz to present to his/her peers after giving a class presentation.

Formilla is a live chat widget add-on for your website. Compatible with all formats, Formilla is customizable for different languages and appearance. Free accounts include access to one website, one chat agent, and up to 30 chats/emails.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Offer a set time for office hours published well in advance for parents and students to drop in and ask questions about assignments, homework help, or any other matters that they may have. Set up a chat time early in the school year for "meet and greet" so parents discover your website or for those who are unable to attend back to school night! Cut down on email! Encourage students to identify the questions they (or their parents) have the most as you develop the scope for your chat. ESL/ELL teachers can use the chat to provide extra written language practice for their students in an engaging way! Use the chat with your colleagues in a Teacher Lounge format to help each other in the appropriate use of technology, content sharing, or professional development.